The Freed Musicals

The Freed Musicals

Musicals were also undergoing a transition in the postwar years. By the mid-1950s, musicals became more realistic and psychological whereas earlier Hollywood musicals were less serious and often were narratives about show business. The “integrated musical” is a musical where there is coordination (i.e. integration) between music and dramatic action. The songs of Richard Rogers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein (lyrics), for example, help tell stories and supplement spoken dialogue. In earlier musicals, songs did not necessarily connect to the narrative action and often there was a plausible reason for characters to sing and dance (putting on a show for instance). Several of the MGM musicals produced by Arthur Freed are among the most well known integrated musicals. Vincente Minnelli was one of the most well known directors working for the Freed unit at MGM. Minnelli’s musicals often employed extravagant use of color, décor, costume, and camera movement. Perhaps the most famous Freed musical is Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly's Singin' in the Rain. In this clip, Don (Gene Kelly) and Lina (Jean Hagen) experience the technological difficulties in making the transition from the silent era to the sound era in Hollywood.

Singin' in the Rain (Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 1952):

Clip we saw for class Click Here

Musicals were in transition post WWII also they were more real and psychological. 

The songs held more meaning than in the past. Songs of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein for example. 

At MGM Arthur Freed was the best known for these type of integrated musicals and produced many. 

Vincente Minnelli was one of the best known directors under the Freed musicals. 

Minnelli used 'extravagant' color, decor, costume and camera movement. 

Freed's best known musical is Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly's Singing in the Rain.

Singin' in the Rain (Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 1952):

Click Here for a clip of - Singin in the Rain